EVENTS : FILM & THEATER

For those of us city dwellers with the frequent urge (but not always as frequent ability) to rise above it all, the annual Rooftop Films Summer Series offers a welcome leg up. Screening on a diverse variety of lofty vistas throughout the city, the series showcases a likewise diverse variety of independent films (animations, docs, feature-length world premieres) throughout the summer. Most evenings begin with live music sponsored by Sound Fix Records, feature Q&As with the filmmakers, and wrap up with after parties. Check the Rooftop Films website for detailed listings.

Hours:

Unless otherwise noted, all screenings follow this schedule:
8:00pm: Doors open
8:30pm: Live music
9:00pm: Films

Along the same lines as Fresh, Food Inc. gives us a close, maybe too close, look at the food we eat and where it comes from. Definitely more Michael Moore than the relatively upbeat Fresh, this one might leave you wanting some comfort food (as long as it’s local, organic, sustainable, and green).

Address:

149 7th St
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Hours:

Jim Henson fans will be pleased to hear that BAM is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Muppet Movie with back-to-back presentations tonight (Tuesday, 7/28). The first is an overview of the master’s work, Muppets History 201, which includes rarely seen shorts from the Henson archives. Follows is the headliner, The Muppet Movie, which opens with an even more rare screening of Time Piece, Henson’s 1965 Academy Award-nominated experimental short film.

Join the award-winning documentary filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig for a screening of his film The Devil and Daniel Johnston, followed by conversation and Q&A. The film portrays a musician and outsider artist whose intense personal struggles with mania, depression, and schizophrenia have intertwined with a career of fantastic creativity. Kurt Cobain called Johnston the “greatest living songwriter” and his work — including songs covered by Beck and Pearl Jam and visual art shown at galleries around the world — continues to generate an avid international following.

Address:

Tishman Auditorium, The New School
66 West 12th St
New York, NY

Hours:

“We’re starting a free weekly movie series in Liberty Hall with some local and international independent film groups and other friends. Some of the screenings have filmmakers in attendance and staying afterward to give talks about their masterpieces. Every Sunday in January, doors open at 7pm and the reels start spinning at 7:30.